RBC Bid 2014
BCHL Update
Don Klepp
May 24 2012
In his 9 years at the helm of the British Columbia Hockey League, John Grisdale has presided over a number of significant changes. While at the RBC Cup in Humboldt, he graciously took time to answer my questions about the league’s direction and challenges. Here is the bulk of that conversation.
Q What are the main challenges that currently face the BCHL?
Mr. Grisdale. We’re always in the process of identifying and assessing current and future markets and
the league demographic. You have to stay ahead of the game, so to speak. We’re trying to determine the
look of the league in 3 to 5 years from now. Of course, alignment continues to be an issue.
Q Speaking of alignment, is the league in the process of deciding next year’s divisions?
Mr. Grisdale. We’ve decided that issue. There will be two sets of five – Powell River and the four Island teams will form the Island Division and Prince George will join the four teams in the Mainland Division. Then the Interior Division will have the four Okanagan teams plus Merritt and Trail. The 56-game schedule will include the two games played at the season opening tournament.
Q Is it fair to say that the mountains and the ocean waters present a special challenge?
Mr. Grisdale. Absolutely. Ferries and long bus rides make it difficult for players and for team finances. If the Georgia Strait were paved, that would help our alignment challenges, but that’s just a fact of our geography and we have to find creative solutions.
Q Some people have said that the North American talent pool for Junior-age hockey players has become stretched because there are so many Major Junior and Junior “A” teams. Do you agree?
Mr. Grisdale. There are lots of good players and the teams in our league do a good job of identifying those players and bringing them into our program. Players want to come to the BCHL and our teams find them.
Q Have there been complaints from other leagues about the number of players from their province who end up in the BCHL?
Mr. Grisdale. We’ve heard a bit of that, but I just say that if you build a good program the kids will come. There’s nothing wrong with that. Good players want to play at the highest level possible and a lot of the players choose the BCHL because of our track record of helping young men earn college scholarships.
Q What about the competition between the WHL and the BCHL for players?
Mr. Grisdale. I suppose the fact is that both leagues want the best players they can get, but honestly those kinds of decisions are family driven. Families need to explore both options and I believe in a longterm plan for every player. The reality is that every player’s career comes to an end sooner or later, and sooner for the overwhelming majority of players. So, getting a degree or some other form of education or training is essential, 100 percent necessary.
Q Lately, the BCHL has seen a lot of players who come for one year and then go to college. Is the league becoming a hockey finishing school?
Mr. Grisdale. Our goal is to develop players. If that happens in one year and then the player goes on to the WHL or university, we’ve done our job. If we can get the player for more than one year, that’s a bonus. Most of those decisions are out of our control. Yes, some kids go to college too soon but that’s up to the college and the kid and his family. I’d take a one-year player in a minute if I knew he would help my program, contribute to the community, and be a good model citizen.
Q So personal development of the player is a major goal of the league?
Mr. Grisdale. Yes! I think it needs to be reiterated that Canadian Jr. “A” hockey is a great training ground for life in a lot of ways, especially for those players who experience the rigours of long playoff runs. Character gets developed and deepened.
Q Let’s shift gears and talk about the Western Canada Cup. What do you like about this concept?
Mr. Grisdale. To start with, this event has been two years in the making. We wanted a mini-RBC Cup that showcases each Western league on a four-year rotating basis. The double knockout format is exciting and will, I think, identify the two best teams from the Western half of the country.
Q Moving on to the RBC Cup, why does the league support Vernon’s bid?
Mr. Grisdale. That’s an excellent franchise and hockey town for one thing. I think they’ll do a great job of hosting. Also, we support strong bids from our towns because we want to showcase our communities and our league. We’ve shown that we can host such events and that we can win them. So, I say to our member teams, if you want to be the best, keep putting your hand up and we’ll support you!
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